The Storm

"The Storm is the ultimate inside story of the Katrina tragedy. Van Heerden knows why the levees failed to protect New Orleans. He knows why the abused wetlands surrounding the city could not protect the levees. He knew how many people would be unwilling—or unable—to evacuate and how many homes were likely to be destroyed. And he has seen politics trump science as officials at virtually all levels failed to plan for this completely predictable situation. He now unites this understanding with his firsthand, behind-the-scenes reporting, including the state's official investigation into the levee failures, which he led." - jacket